Single carbon fiber decorated with RuO 2 nanorods as a highly electrocatalytic sensing element

Abstract

We demonstrate highly efficient electocatalytic activities of single crystalline RuO 2 nanorods grown on carbon fiber (CF), i.e., RuO 2 nanorod-CF hybrid microelectrode, prepared by a simple thermal annealing process from the Ru(OH) 3 precursor at 300 °C. The general electrochemical activity of a RuO 2 nanorod-CF microelectrode represents faster electron transfer for the [Fe(CN) 6] 3-/4- couple than that of the bare CF microelectrode which are confirmed from the cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurement. Also, the amperometric response for the H 2O 2 oxidation is remarkably facilitated at the RuO 2 nanorod-CF microelectrode by not only the enlarged surface area but the high electrocatalytic activity of the RuO 2 nanorod material itself. Furthermore, a single microelectrode of RuO 2 nanorod-CF exhibits the superior tolerance to Cl - ion poisoning unlike Pt-based electrocatalysts, indicating the promising sensor candidate in physiological conditions. © 2012 American Chemical Society.